Sainte Théodore Guérin
Fondatrice des
religieuses de la Providence aux Etats-Unis (+ 1856)
Mère Théodore, Anne-Thérèse Guérin, béatifiée par Jean Paul II le 2 Octobre 1998, canonisée le 15 octobre 2006 par Benoît XVI.
Née à Etables-sur-Mer (Côtes-d'Armor) en 1798, entrée chez les sœurs de la Providence à Ruillé-sur-Loir (Sarthe), elle fonde les Sœurs de la Providence de Sainte-Marie-des-Bois (site en anglais - Indiana, États-Unis).
"Le Père Levitoux retrace pour nous les grandes lignes de la vie de
cette 'Tagarine': Son dévouement au service de l'école, des pauvres et des
malades ne l'empêchait pas de trouver du temps pour intensifier sa vie
spirituelle, par la prière, la lecture de la Bible, de la vie des saints et des
maîtres spirituels..."
(Anne-Thérèse Guérin - Mère Théodore - diocèse de Saint-Brieuc et Tréguier)
À Sainte-Marie des Bois dans l'Indianopolis, aux États-Unis d'Amérique, en
1865, Mère Théodore Guérin (Anne-Théodore). Née à Étables-sur-Mer, en Bretagne,
elle fonda la Congrégation des Sœurs de la Providence, toujours confiante en la
divine Providence, même dans les plus grandes difficultés.
Martyrologe romain
Quelle force l'âme tire
de la prière! Quel calme divin elle trouve dans le cœur de Jésus. Mais quel
confort peut-il exister pour ceux qui ne prient pas?
SOURCE : https://nominis.cef.fr/contenus/saint/10133/Sainte-Th%C3%A9odore-Gu%C3%A9rin.html
The Convent Cemetery of
the w:Sisters of
Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.
In the foreground is the grave (one of several resting
places) of w:Saint Mother Theodore Guerin.
Sisters of Providence
Convent Cemetery
THÉODORE GUÉRIN (1798 – 1856)
« Quelle force l’âme tire
de la prière! Quel calme divin elle trouve dans le coeur de Jésus. Mais quel
confort peut-il exister pour ceux qui ne prient pas? ». Ces mots, écrits par la
Mère Théodore Guérin après avoir survécu un gros orage en mer, représentent
peut-être l’un des meilleurs exemples de sa vie et de son ministère. Mère
Théodore tira littéralement sa force de la prière, de conversations avec Dieu,
avec Jésus et avec la Sainte Vierge. Tout au long de sa vie, elle encourageait
la prière alors qu’elle cherchait à partager l’amour de Dieu avec tous les gens
qu’elle rencontrait.
La Mère THÉODORE, ANNE-THÉRÈSE GUÉRIN, naquit le 2 octobre 1798 dans le village
d’Étables en France. Sa dévotion envers Dieu et envers l’Église catholique
naquit à un très jeune âge. Elle fut autorisée à faire sa première communion à
l’âge de dix ans et annonça alors au curé qu’un jour elle entrerait au couvent.
En tant qu’enfant, Anne-Thérèse recherchait souvent la solitude le long du
rivage rocheux de son village, où elle consacrait de nombreuses heures à la
méditation, la réflexion et la prière. Elle fut instruite par sa mère, Isabelle
Guérin, qui concentra ses leçons sur la religion et les Saintes Écritures,
renforçant ainsi l’amour de l’enfant envers Dieu. Le père d’Anne-Thérèse,
Laurent, qui servait dans l’armée de Napoléon, était loin de chez lui pendant
des années à la fois. Lorsqu’Anne-Thérèse avait 15 ans, son père fut assassiné
par des bandits sur son voyage de retour pour retrouver sa famille. La perte de
son mari détruisit presque Isabelle, et pendant de longues années, Anne-Thérèse
prit la responsabilité de s’occuper de sa mère et de sa petite soeur, ainsi que
de la maison et du jardin de la famille.
À travers ces longues années de privations et de sacrifices, en fait pendant
toute sa vie, la foi de la Mère Théodore en Dieu ne vacilla ou ne déclina
jamais. Elle savait dans les profondeurs de son âme que Dieu était avec elle et
serait son compagnon pour l’éternité.
Anne-Thérèse avait presque 25 ans lorsqu’elle entra au Couvent des Soeurs de la
Providence à Ruillé-sur-Loir, une communauté de religieuses récemment établie
servant Dieu en enseignant les enfants et en soignant les pauvres, les malades
et les mourants.
Alors qu’elle enseignait et s’occupait des malades en France, on demanda à la
Mère Théodore, qu’on n’appelait alors que Soeur St Théodore, de guider un petit
groupe missionnaire de Soeurs de la Providence aux États-Unis, pour établir un
couvent, ouvrir des écoles et partager l’amour de Dieu avec les pionniers du
diocèse de Vincennes dans l’état d’Indiana. De nature humble et se sentant
indigne de la tâche, la Mère Théodore ne pouvait pas s’imaginer apte à une
telle mission. Elle était de santé fragile. Lors de son noviciat chez les
Soeurs de la Providence, elle tomba gravement malade. Les remèdes guérirent le
mal mais affectèrent sévèrement son système digestif; pendant le reste de sa
vie, elle ne put se nourrir que d’aliments mous et de liquides sans saveur. Son
état physique ajoutait à ses doutes sur l’acceptation de cette mission.
Néanmoins, après de nombreuses heures de prière et de longues consultations
avec ses supérieurs, elle accepta finalement la mission, craignant que sinon,
personne ne s’aventurerait dans la nature pour partager l’amour de Dieu.
Munies de pas beaucoup plus que leur désir ardent de se soumettre au service de
Dieu, Mère Théodore et les cinq Soeurs de la Providence qui l’accompagnaient
arrivèrent au but de leur mission à Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods en Indiana le soir
du 22 octobre 1840, et s’empressèrent immédiatement de gravir le chemin étroit
et boueux qui menait à la minuscule cabane en rondins servant de chapelle.
Elles s’agenouillèrent en prière devant le Saint Sacrement pour remercier Dieu
de leur avoir permis d’achever leur voyage et demander sa bénédiction pour leur
nouvelle mission.
C’est là, sur cette terre en pente, coupée dans le ravin, entourée de forêt
dense que la Mère Théodore allait établir un couvent, une école et un
patrimoine d’amour, de compassion et de justice qui continue de nos jours.
À travers des années de chagrin et des années de paix, la Mère Théodore se fia
à la providence divine et à sa propre ingéniosité et foi pour conseils et
direct ion. Elle encouragea les Soeurs de la Providence à « s’en remettre aux
mains de la providence ». Dans ses lettres à la France, elle déclarait, «Mais
notre espoir se trouve dans la providence de Dieu, qui nous a protégées jusqu’à
maintenant et qui fournira à nos besoins futurs d’une façon ou d’une autre ».
En automne 1840, la mission de Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods ne consistait qu’en une
minuscule chapelle en rondins qui servait également d’habitation au curé,
flanquée d’une petite ferme où vivaient la Mère Théodore, les soeurs de France
et plusieurs postulantes. Pendant ce premier hiver, des vents violents venant
du nord firent trembler la petite ferme. Les soeurs avaient souvent froid et
faim. Mais elles transformèrent un porche en chapelle et étaient réconfortées
par la présence du Saint Sacrement dans l’humble couvent. La Mère Théodore
disait, «Avec Jésus à nos côtés, que pouvons-nous craindre? ».
Pendant les premières années à Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods, la Mère Théodore dut
faire face à de nombreux obstacles: des préjudices anti-catholiques, et
particulièrement contre des femmes religieuses catholiques; des trahisons; des
malentendus; la séparation de la congrégation d’Indiana de celle de Ruillé; un
incendie dévastateur qui détruisit toute une récolte laissant les soeurs
pauvres et affamées; et de fréquentes maladies graves. Elle persévéra envers et
contre tout, ne désirant qu’une chose, «Qu’en tout et partout, la volonté de
Dieu soit accomplie ». Dans sa correspondance à ses amis, la Mère Théodore
reconnaissait ses tribulations. Elle écrivit: «Si cette pauvre petite
communauté s’établit un jour, ce sera sur la Croix; et c’est ce qui me donne
confiance et me fait espérer, souvent contre tout espoir ».
Moins d’un an après son arrivée à Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods, la Mère Théodore
ouvrit la première école de la congrégation, et en 1842, établit des écoles à
Jasper, Indiana et St Francisville, Illinois. Au moment de sa mort, le 14 mai
1856, la Mère Théodore avait ouvert des écoles dans plusieurs villes d’Indiana,
et la congrégation des Soeurs de la Providence était forte, viable et respectée.
La Mère Théodore attribuait toujours la croissance et le succès des Soeurs de
la Providence à la bonne volonté de Dieu et de Marie, Mère du Seigneur, à qui
elle dédia le ministère de Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods.
La sainteté de la Mère Théodore était évidente pour tous ceux qui la
connaissaient, dont beaucoup d’entre eux la décrivaient comme une « sainte ».
Elle possédait la capacité de tirer le meilleur des êtres, de leur permettre
d’atteindre plus qu’ils ne croyaient possible. L’amour de la Mère Théodore était
l’une de ses caractéristiques principales. Elle aimait Dieu, les êtres que Dieu
avait créé, les Soeurs de la Providence, l’Église catholique et ses supérieurs.
Elle n’excluait personne de son ministère ou de ses prières car elle avait
dédié sa vie à aider les gens à connaître Dieu et à vivre une meilleure
existence.
Mère Théodore savait que seule, elle ne pouvait rien accomplir, mais qu’avec
l’aide de Dieu, tout était possible. Elle acceptait les difficultés, les ennuis
et les injustices envers elle comme faisant partie de sa vie. Au milieu des
persécutions, Mère Théodore demeura entièrement et fidèlement consacrée à Dieu.
La Mère Théodore mourut seize ans après son arrivée à Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods.
Durant ces années fugaces, elle toucha d’innombrables vies, et continue à le
faire de nos jours.
Le don qu’elle offre aux générations qui se succèdent est sa vie en tant que
modèle de sainteté, vertu, amour et foi.
Source : http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_20061015_guerin_fr.html
Sainte Théodore, figure
franco-américaine de femme dans l'Église
Le pape a
canonisé dimanche quatre nouveaux saints, dont une Française, qui fonda aux
États-Unis une congrégation de Soeurs de la Providence
Française et américaine :
Mère Théodore Guérin, bretonne, fondatrice au XIXe siècle aux États-Unis de la
congrégation des Soeurs de la Providence de Sainte- Marie-des-Bois et canonisée
dimanche 15 octobre en la basilique Saint-Pierre par Benoît XVI, a réuni ce
week-end à Rome les coeurs des deux rives de l'Atlantique (1).
Comme ces Américaines,
étudiantes de l'université Saint-Mary-des-Bois (Indiana), qui arborent
fièrement le portrait de la nouvelle sainte sur leur tee-shirt… Dans le
train qui les amenait à Rome, elles ont rencontré des Français du diocèse de
Saint-Brieuc, dont la sainte est originaire. « Nous sommes pareils », s'étonne
presque Jenny, dont c'est le premier voyage sur le Vieux Continent.
Américaine, Mère Théodore
? Sans aucun doute, pour Liz Gibulskin. Cette ancienne élève de l'université
américaine raconte comment la religieuse française a débarqué dans l'Indiana en
1840, après des semaines de voyage, «sans rien» : «Il n'y avait pas même de
maison, et la religieuse a dû loger dans une famille de trappeurs. De ce rien,
elle a tout construit.» Une école pour filles d'abord, puis une université, et
diverses autres fondations pour l'éducation d'enfants (orphelinat…), dans
l'Indiana et le Connecticut.
« Aventurière », «
pionnière », cette femme était cependant ancrée dans une spiritualité « bien
française », souligne Soeur Henri-Dominique Besson, de la Providence de Ruillé,
congrégation d'origine de sainte Théodore Guérin. En France, reconnaît-elle, «
nous n'aurions pas osé demander sa canonisation : pas assez d'argent, et sans
doute aussi trop de discrétion ». Mais la religieuse est heureuse de voir
reconnue par l'Église cette
« spiritualité de simplicité d'abandon total à la Providence » incarnée par
Mère Théodore.
Elle a créé la première université pour les femmes aux États-Unis
«Elle fut toujours
disponible pour les missions que l'Église lui
demandait, elle trouvait la force et l'audace pour les mettre en oeuvre dans
une infinie confiance en la divine Providence», a souligné dimanche - en français
- Benoît XVI. Pour Soeur Elian Keane, anglaise, de la congrégation de la
Providence, c'est ce qui l'avait «amenée à dire oui», «à répondre à l'appel de
l'évêque de l'Indiana et quitter sa Bretagne natale».
Américaines comme
Européennes, toutes se reconnaissent dans cette femme dont l'obéissance était
aussi courage, observe Soeur Martine Meuwissen, supérieure de la Providence de
Ruillé : « Mère Théodore a su résister à l'évêque de l'Indiana, qui cherchait à
s'immiscer dans la communauté pour imposer ses propres vues, au détriment du
travail des religieuses ».
À plusieurs reprises, Mgr
de La Hailandière avait demandé la démission de Mère Guérin et voulu faire
rentrer la Bretonne en France. « Il l'a même enfermée dans son diocèse en 1846
», raconte en souriant une religieuse américaine. Mère Théodore, soutenue par
sa communauté, tint bon… jusqu'à ce que Rome accepte la démission de
l'évêque : « Une manière de rappeler que nous, religieuses, nous sommes d'abord
au service de Dieu… et non des évêques », glisse Soeur Henri-Dominique.
« Mère Théodore a créé la
première université pour les femmes aux États-Unis », souligne Jenny, ancienne
élève : aujourd'hui encore, seules les filles peuvent y étudier, et « nous
veillons à ce que cela reste ainsi », ajoute-t-elle en riant. L'éducation mise
en place par sainte Théodore était très moderne pour l'époque, et son esprit
continue aujourd'hui, au-delà des rives de l'Atlantique, à Taïwan, au Sri
Lanka, ou encore à Madagascar. Là, témoigne Soeur Sosthine Ratsimanahirana, «
sa manière d'être auprès des plus pauvres, et au plus proche de leurs besoins,
reste on ne peut plus d'actualité ».
Isabelle DE GAULMYN
(1) Benoît XVI a en outre
procédé dimanche à la canonisation de l'évêque mexicain Rafael Guizar
Valencia (1878-1938), du prêtre italien Filippo Smaldone (1848-1923), fondateur
des salésiennes des Sacrés-Coeurs, et de l'Italienne Rosa Venerini (1656-1728),
fondatrice des Mères Pies.
Also
known as
Mother Theodore
Anne-Thérèse Guérin
14 May on
some calendars
Profile
Daughter of Laurent and
Isabelle Guérin. Joined the Sisters
of Providence at Ruillé-sur-Loir, France on 18 August 1823,
taking the name Sister Saint Theodore, and making her final vows on 5
September 1831. Taught in
Rennes and Soulaines, France.
Sent with five other sisters (Sister
Olympiade Boyer, Sister Saint Vincent Ferrer Gagé, Sister Basilide Sénéschal,
Sister Mary Xavier Lerée and Sister Mary Liguori Tiercin) to the diocese of
Vincennes, Indiana, USA on 22 October 1840.
They established the Academy of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods on 4 July 1841 at
Terre Haute, Indiana,
the first Catholic women‘s
liberal-arts college in
the United
States. She established schools at
Jasper, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods Village, Vincennes, Montgomery, Madison, Terre
Haute, Fort Wayne, Evansville,
North Madison, Lanesville and Columbus, all in Indiana,
and Saint Francisville in Illinois.
Founded an orphanage for girls and
one for boys in
Vincennes, Indiana.
Opened pharmacies where
medicines were dispensed free to the poor at
Vincennes and Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.
Oversaw construction of a motherhouse for the Sisters
of Providence and several additions to the Academy.
Born
2 October 1798 at
Etables-sur-Mer, Brittany, France as Anne-Thérèse
Guérin
14 May 1856 at
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, USA,
of natural causes
buried at
Church of the Immaculate Conception, Saint
Mary-of-the-Woods
22 July 1992 by Pope John
Paul II (decree of heroic
virtues)
25 October 1998 by Pope John
Paul II at Saint Peter’s Square, Vatican City, Rome, Italy
15 October 2006 by Pope Benedict
XVI
Lafayette, Indiana, diocese of
Additional
Information
Illustrated
Catholic Family Annual
The
Holiness of the Church in the 19th Century
books
Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints
other
sites in english
Catholic Mom: Saint Theodore Guerin and Fromage Fort
Nobility
and Analogous Traditional Elites
images
video
e-books
Life and Life-Work of Mother Theodore Guerin
sitios
en español
Martirologio Romano, 2001 edición
fonti
in italiano
Readings
“Go, sell everything you
own, and give the money to the poor… then come, follow me”. These words have
inspired countless Christians throughout
the history of the Church to follow Christ in a life of radical poverty,
trusting in Divine Providence. Among these generous disciples of Christ was a
young Frenchwoman, who responded unreservedly to the call of the divine
Teacher. Mother Théodore Guérin entered the Congregation of the Sisters of
Providence in 1823,
and she devoted herself to the work of teaching in schools.
Then, in 1839,
she was asked by her Superiors to travel to
the United
States to become the head of a new community in Indiana.
After their long journey over land and sea, the group of six Sisters arrived at
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. There they found a simple log-cabin chapel in the heart
of the forest. They knelt down before the Blessed Sacrament and gave thanks,
asking God’s guidance upon the new foundation. With great trust in Divine
Providence, Mother Théodore overcame many challenges and persevered in the work
that the Lord had called her to do. By the time of her death in 1856,
the Sisters were running schools and orphanages throughout
the State of Indiana. In her own words, “How much good has been accomplished by
the Sisters of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods! How much more good they will be able to
do if they remain faithful to their holy vocation!”. Mother Théodore Guérin is
a beautiful spiritual figure and a model of the Christian life. She was always
open for the missions the Church entrusted to her, and she found the strength
and the boldness to put them [the missions] into practice in the Eucharist, in
prayer and in an infinite trust in Divine Providence. Her inner strength moved
her to address particular attention to the poor,
and above all to children. – Pope Benedict
XVI, from the canonization homily
of Saint Mother
Theodore
MLA
Citation
“Saint Theodore
Guerin“. CatholicSaints.Info. 13 August 2022. Web. 6 May 2023.
<https://catholicsaints.info/saint-theodore-guerin/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/saint-theodore-guerin/
View
inside the Church of the Immaculate Conception where the relics of St. Théodore
Guérin are located on the front left hand side of the Church. Also on the left
side, located on the floor, is a plaque over the vault where the relics of
other Saints remain.
Saint Mother Theodore
Guerin
St. Theodore
(Anne-Thérèse) Guerin was born October 2, 1798, in Etables, France. She entered
the Sisters of Providence of Ruille-sur-Loir in 1823. Mother Theodore educated
children and cared for the sick poor in France for 17 years. In 1840, in
response to a request from the bishop of Vincennes, Indiana, Mother Theodore
led a group of five Sisters of Providence to the United States to establish a
motherhouse and novitiate, to educate children of pioneer families and to care
for the sick poor.
Mother Theodore and her
companion sisters arrived in the remote forest wilderness of Saint
Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, the evening of October 22, 1840. The following
summer, Mother Theodore opened an Academy, now known as Saint Mary-of-the-Woods
College which is the oldest Catholic women’s college in the the United States.
In March 1842, she opened a school in Jasper, Indiana. In the years that
followed, Mother Theodore established schools throughout Indiana, two
orphanages in Vincennes and free pharmacies at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods in
Vincennes.
Mother Theodore died May
14, 1856. In October 1998, Mother Theodore received the title “Blessed”
during a beatification ceremony in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. On July
2, 2006, word came from the Vatican that Mother Theodore was going to be
canonized into sainthood on Oct. 15, 2006. A shrine honoring Mother
Theodore is located in the Church of the Immaculate Conception at Saint
Mary-of-the-Woods
SOURCE : http://www.ucatholic.com/saints/theodore-guerin/
Illustrated
Catholic Family Annual – Mother Theodore
Article
Sister Saint Theodore,
Anne Therese Guerin, was born at Etables, diocese of Saint Bricuc, Brittany, 2
October 1798. Her father dying when she was but fourteen years of age, she,
being the oldest child, became the help and companion of her mother. This
circumstance contributed much to develop those admirable qualities that
afterwards adorned her character. Being inclined to a religious life from her
earliest years, the attractions of society had no charms for her, and if she
delayed to embrace the holy state for which her heart longed it was only in
consideration of her widowed mother, who seemed quite unwilling to make the
sacrifice. Finally, however, Madame Guerin gave her consent; not from the
oft-repeated solicitations of her daughter, but from the conviction that it was
the holy will of God.
Anne Therese, in
consequence of a particular devotion to Saint Teresa, her patron saint, had a
strong preference for the Carmelite Order, of which that illustrious saint is
considered the foundress. But incidents, apparently casual, though undoubtedly
designed by God, influenced her choice in favor of the Sisters of Providence,
an order founded at Ruille-sur-Loir in 1800. She was twenty-four years of age
when she left her home to enter the religious life. This was an occasion of
mingled joy and sorrow – joy that she could now satisfy the long-cherished
desire of consecrating herself to God, sorrow that she was obliged to leave her
mother, who regarded her as a second self. She entered the community at Ruillé
in the fall of 1822, and at the following retreat, not quite a year from her
entrance, she received the religious dress and made her vows. To admit to
profession on so short a probation was not customary, but the extraordinary virtues
and abilities of Anne Therese – now Sister Saint Theodore – entitled her to the
privilege of being advanced that she might share in the responsible employments
of the community.
Immediately after her
profession she was appointed superior of an extensive establishment at Itennes,
the object of which was to give poor children a useful education. This was a
difficult undertaking, as the inhabitants of that quarter of the city had been
sunk in ignorance and moral degradation ever since the great Revolution in
France. But Sister Saint Theodore was perfectly qualified for the task. Such
astonishing success attended her unwearied exertions that in a few years the
mission was in a most flourishing condition. She was then removed to Soulaines,
where, besides the class of poor children, there was a school for young ladies,
and visiting the sick entered as one of the occupations of the sisters. Sister
Saint Theodore took advantage of this latter duty to join the study of medicine
to the practical knowledge of diseases that she would necessarily acquire on
her errands of charity. This knowledge of medicine was very serviceable to her,
as she sometimes found herself in places where good physician could not be
procured.
It was from this
establishment of Soulaines that Sister Saint Theodore started for the mission
of Indiana, The saintly Bishop Bruté, the first bishop of Vincennes, earnestly
solicited the Sisters of Providence to take upon themselves the in struction of
youth in his diocese, then the wilds of America. The superior-general at Ruillé
accepted the mission on condition that Sister Saint Theodore would consent to
go as superior of the distant establishment. Although there was much to make
Sister Saint Theodore shrink from such responsibility, yet the conviction that
it was God’s will prevailed, and she, with five associates – Sister Saint
Vincent, Sister Basilide, Sister Olympiade, Sister Mary, and Sister Lignori –
nobly accepted the arduous undertaking.
These generous heroines
of charity, severing the ties of home, friends, and country, embarked for the
United States on 27 July 1840, and, after a prosperous voyage of six weeks,
arrived at New York. The good mother-superior and her companions, overcome with
emotion, shed tears of joy and thanksgiving on beholding their adopted country.
The bishop of New York, to whom they had been recommended, prepared a reception
for them at the house of Madame Parmentier, an excellent French lady, whose
kindness then and afterwards merited the lasting gratitude and friendship of
the Sisters of Providence. They remained a week in New York, and then, after a
fatiguing journey of three weeks overland, they reached their new scene of
labor, their future home, Saint Mary’s of the Woods. Never, indeed, was a place
better named, for it was a thick, dark wood, a very wilderness at the time, and
the house built for the sisters was not finished; but in this destitution they
were accommodated by a farmer, who obligingly gave up half of his little frame
dwelling for their use. A small log house, ten feet square, was at the same
time both the chapel and the dwelling of the priest, Father Buteux. There was
neither altar nor tabernacle, but on a board resting upon logs was placed a
small pyx, on which the Blessed Sacrament was kept. But, nothing daunted, these
true spouses of a crucified Saviour reverently entered this small, rude temple
which sheltered their Divine Master, and while in his presence they were
strengthened to face the destitution and poverty which surrounded them. With
the assurance that Jesus, from that, log cabin, would bless their work, they
rose strong in God’s grace to suffer patiently and cheerfully the crosses and
privations that were in store for them. As our Lord’s house is not built of
stones wrought by the hands of men, but of the loving hearts of his creatures
formed and fashioned to his will, so it may be truly said that on that day, 22
October 1840, the community of the Sisters of Providence in America was founded
at Saint Mary’s of the Woods.
In November, 1841, Mother
Theodore had the happiness of welcoming to her little community Sister Saint
Francis, who had been named to accompany her, but, on account of delicate
health, had been obliged to remain in France a year longer. From this time
until her death Sister Saint Francis became, in a special manner, the
co-laborer of Mother Theodore. Hence we find their names associated in all the
important events and transactions of the infant community, Mother Theodore as
superior-general, and Sister Saint Frarcis as mistress of novices. These two
noble women died in 1856, within three months of each other. Of the lovely and,
we might almost say, seraphic Sister Saint Francis little need be said here, as
her Life and Letters, a work now current in French literature, gives ample
testimony to the heroic virtues which entitle her to the beautiful name,
“Apostolic Woman.” Her Letters have been recently styled by an able
critic “a string of exquisite pearls.”
Mother Theodore united
those rare virtues that form the perfect religious with extraordinary governing
and financial abilities. Full of zeal for God’s glory and charity for her
neighbor, this remarkable woman was ever found sacrificing self, relieving,
encouraging, and instructing others. If religious houses were not governed and
sustained by God himself, the death of Mother Theodore would have seriously
affected the existence of the young community; but he does not withdraw his
saints from the scene of their labor to destroy the work they have raised for
his greater glory. He continues it by his power, to perpetuate their recompense
by a standing memorial of their merit; and thus the community of Sisters of
Providence in America continued after the death of its cherished foundress,
Mother Theodore. The influence of her example, the salutary effects of her
advice and instructions, dwell yet in the community, and the fruit of her
ardent zeal and untiring charity is now witnessed in the extensive and numerous
establishments, both educational and charitable, spread over the Western
States, foremost among which stands Saint Mary’s Academic Institute, now
considered one of the finest educational establishments in the Union. The
Sisters of Providence and their thousands of pnpils hold in deep and lasting
affection the venerated name of Mother Theodore.
MLA
Citation
“Mother Theodore”. Illustrated Catholic Family Annual, 1881. CatholicSaints.Info.
15 January 2017. Web. 6 May 2023.
<https://catholicsaints.info/illustrated-catholic-family-annual-mother-theodore/>
SOURCE: https://catholicsaints.info/illustrated-catholic-family-annual-mother-theodore/
St. Théodore Guérin, four Sisters and two novices
leave their Motherhouse in Ruillé-sur-Loir, France, headed to Terre Haute, Ind.
The Holiness of the Church in the
Nineteenth Century – Mother Theodore Guerin
Article
Cardinal Gibbons declared
that Mother Theodore Guerin, first superior-general of the Sisters of
Providence in the United States, was an athlete of virtue who by her life and
teaching had made great conquests for Christ and His Church. Mother Guerin was
sent to the United States from France in 1840 to establish a residence of her
Order in the diocese of Vincennes, Indiana. She was a highly cultivated woman
of extraordinary endowments. Still more admirable was her personal holiness,
which was proved by many trials. Her great success in the many undertakings of
her Congregation, particularly in the schools, is justly ascribed to the charm
of her noble and virtuous character. She died on 14 May 1856. She was honored
with a medal from the French Academy, but greater will be the honor to her name
by its enrollment in the list of the Blessed.
MLA
Citation
Father Constantine Kempf,
SJ. “Mother Theodore Guerin”. The Holiness of the
Church in the Nineteenth Century: Saintly Men and Women of Our Own Times, 1916. CatholicSaints.Info.
28 April 2022. Web. 6 May 2023.
<https://catholicsaints.info/the-holiness-of-the-church-in-the-nineteenth-century-mother-theodore-guerin/>
Interior
of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, where St. Théodore Guérin is
buried.
St. Mother Theodore Guérin
October 3 is the feast of St. Mother Theodore Guérin (also known as
Anne-Thérèse Guérin) was born Oct. 2, 1798, in the village of Etables, France. Her
devotion to God and to the Roman Catholic Church began when she was a young
child. She was allowed to receive her First Communion at the age of 10 and, at
that time, told the parish priest that someday she would be a nun.
The child Anne-Thérèse often sought solitude along the rocky shore near her
home, where she devoted hours to meditation, reflection and prayer.
Anne-Thérèse’s father, Laurent, who served in Napoleon’s navy, was away from
home for years at a time. When Anne-Thérèse was 15 years old, her father was
murdered by bandits as he traveled home to visit his family. The loss of her
husband nearly overwhelmed Isabelle and, for many years, Anne-Thérèse bore the
responsibility of caring for her mother and her young sister, as well as the
family’s home and garden.
Anne-Thérèse was nearly 25 years old when she entered the Sisters of Providence
of Ruillé-sur-Loir, a young community of women religious serving God by
providing opportunities for education to children and by caring for the poor,
sick and dying.
While teaching and caring for the sick in France, Sister St. Theodore, was
asked to lead a small missionary band of Sisters of Providence to the United
States of America, to establish a motherhouse, to open schools and to share the
love of God with pioneers in the Diocese of Vincennes in the State of Indiana.
During her novitiate with the Sisters of Providence, she became very ill.
Remedies cured the illness but severely damaged her digestive system; for the
remainder of her life she was able to consume only soft, bland foods and
liquids.
Equipped with little more than her steadfast desire to serve God, Mother
Théodore and her five companion Sisters of Providence arrived at the site of
their mission at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, the evening of October 22,
1840, and immediately hastened along a muddy, narrow path to the tiny log cabin
that served as the chapel. There, they knelt in prayer before the Blessed
Sacrament to thank God for their safe journey and to ask for God’s blessings
for the new mission.
In the fall of 1840, the mission at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods consisted only of a
tiny log cabin chapel that also served as lodging for a priest, and a small
frame farmhouse, where Mother Théodore, the sisters from France and several
postulants lived. During that first winter, harsh winds blew from the north to
rattle the little farmhouse The sisters were often cold and frequently hungry.
But they transformed a porch into a chapel and were comforted by the presence
of the Blessed Sacrament in the humble motherhouse. Mother Théodore said, “With
Jesus, what shall we have to fear?”
During the early years at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Mother Théodore encountered
numerous trials: prejudice against Catholics and, especially, against Catholic
women religious; betrayals; misunderstandings; the separation of the
Congregation in Indiana from the one in Ruillé; a devastating fire that
destroyed an entire harvest leaving the sisters destitute and hungry, and
frequent life-threatening illnesses. Still she persevered, desiring only that
“In all and everywhere may the will of God be done.”
Mother Théodore’s holiness was evident to people who knew her, and many
described her simply as “saintly”. She possessed the ability to draw out the
best in people, to enable them to attain more than they thought possible.
Mother Théodore’s love was one of her great hallmarks. She loved God, God’s
people, the Sisters of Providence, the Roman Catholic Church and the people she
served. She did not exclude anyone from her ministries or her prayers, for she
dedicated her life to helping people know God and live better lives.
Mother Theodore was beatified on October 25, 1998 by Pope John Paul II and
canonized on October 15, 2006 by Pope Benedict XVI.
The national shrine for Saint Theodora is in the Church of the Immaculate
Conception on the motherhouse grounds in Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.
Saint Quote
"If ever this poor little Community becomes settled, it will be
established on the Cross; and that is what gives me confidence and makes me
hope, sometimes even against hope."
~Saint Mother Theodore Guerin
Papal Quote
“Mother Theodore Guerin is a beautiful spiritual figure and a model of
Christian life. She was always available for the missions upon which the Church
sent her; she found strength and courage for this work in the Eucharist, in
prayer and in an infinite confidence in Divine Providence. Her interior
strength propelled her to pay particular attention to the poor, especially to
children."
~ Pope Benedict XVI
Patronage
Saint Mother Theodore has been named patron of:
Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette in Indiana
The Knights of Columbus of Indianapolis, Indiana
Prayer
Saint Mother Theodore Guerin,
valiant woman of God,
intercede for us in our needs.
Implore for us through Jesus
the gifts of living faith,
abiding hope,
and steadfast charity,
so that
through a life of prayer
and service with others
we may aid in promoting
the Providence of God
among all peoples.
Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, pray for us.
Amen.
SOURCE: https://catholicfire.blogspot.com/2016/10/st-mother-theodore-guerin.html
Originally
the Thralls house, which St. Théodore Guérin bought for the Sisters to
live in until the convent was completed.
24 OCTOBER 1998
BL.
THEODORE-ANNE-THERESE GUERIN was born on 2 October 1798 in Etables,
France, the daughter of Laurent and Isabelle Guerin She was given the name
Anne-Therese when she was baptized on 3 October 1798, the day after her birth.
A prayerful child, she received her First Holy Communion when she was 10 years
old. On the day of her First Communion, she told the parish priest that she
desired to give her life to God and to become a nun. She often sought solitude
along the rocky shore near her home, where she devoted hours to reflection and
prayer.
When Mother Theodore was
15 years old, her father was murdered by bandits. For the next several years,
Mother Theodore cared for her mother and younger sister. She was nearly 25
years old when she entered the novitiate of the Sisters of Providence at
Ruille-sur-Loire, France, on 18 August 1823. She received the religious habit
on 6 September 1825 and professed first vows on 8 September 1825. She professed
perpetual vows, which were optional at the time, on 5 September 1831. As a
Sister of Providence, she was known as Sister St Theodore.
While a novice, Mother
Theodore became seriously ill, probably with smallpox. In an attempt to save
her life, her physician gave her a remedy that cured the illness but damaged
her digestive system. From that time on, Mother Theodore's physical health was
fragile.
In France, she taught at
Preuilly-sur-Claise and served as superior of schools in the city of Rennes and
the small community of Soulaines. While at Soulaines, she received a Medal of
Honour from the Academy of Angers in recognition of her teaching expertise.
Also while in Soulaines, she studied medicine with a local physician and soon became
known for her tender way of caring for people of all ages.
In 1839, in response to a
request from the Bishop of the Diocese of Vincennes, Indiana, USA, Mother
Theodore agreed to lead five missionary Sisters of Providence to the United
States of America to establish a motherhouse and a novitiate, to provide
educational opportunities for the children of pioneer families and to care for
the sick poor.
Sister St Theodore and
her five sister companions left France on 27 July 1840 and arrived at Saint
Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, the evening of 22 October 1840. There, in the midst
of a forest wilderness, Mother Theodore established a motherhouse and a
novitiate. From the beginning, kneeling before the Eucharist in a humble chapel
built of logs, Mother Theodore dedicated the mission to Mary, the Mother of
Jesus.
Through that first cold
and harsh winter, as the Sisters of Providence struggled to survive, to learn
the English language and to adjust to the customs of their new homeland, Mother
Theodore developed plans for an academy for young girls.
In the summer, on 4 July
1841, Mother Theodore and the other Sisters of Providence welcomed the
academy's first student. Within a year, the Sisters of Providence opened
schools in the community of Jasper in southern Indiana, at Saint
Mary-of-the-Woods Village and at Saint Francisville, Illinois, which was part
of the Diocese of Vincennes at the time.
By the time of Mother
Theodore's death in the spring of 1856, the Sisters of Providence Congregation
had established schools throughout the state of Indiana, two orphanages in
Vincennes, and pharmacies at Vincennes and Saint Mary-of-the-Woods Village,
where free remedies were dispensed to the poor.
During the nearly 16
years of her life and ministry in Indiana, Mother Theodore encountered
countless hardships and difficulties: dire poverty caused by a fire that
destroyed the congregation's barns and harvested crops; prejudice against
Catholics and, especially, against Catholic women religious; misunderstandings;
persecution; and the separation of the Congregation of the Sisters of
Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods from the Sisters of Providence in Ruille,
France.
Through all those years
of growth, struggle and sorrow, Mother Theodore's faith did not waver. She
remained steadfast in her belief that she was fulfilling God's will and that
God was with her.
In times of uncertainty,
Mother Theodore advised the Sisters of Providence: "Have confidence in the
Providence that so far has never failed us. The way is not yet clear. Grope along
slowly. Do not press matters; be patient, be trustful". She told the
sisters, too: "With Jesus, what shall we have to fear?".
Mother Theodore's final
illness began during Holy Week in March 1856. In the community's diary she
wrote these words, her final written words: "I am obliged to keep my bed.
What a beautiful week to be upon the Cross. O good Cross, I will love thee with
all my heart".
Mother Theodore died on
14 May 1856. She is buried in the Church of the Immaculate Conception at Saint
Mary-of-the-Woods.
The cause for the
beatification and canonization of Mother Theodore Guerin was opened on 8
September 1909. In July 1992, Mother Theodore received the title
"venerable" in recognition of a virtuous life lived to a heroic
degree.
By: Penny Blaker Mitchell
SOURCE : https://web.archive.org/web/20190126075842/http://www.ewtn.com/library/mary/bios98.htm#THEODORE
The
fire of 1889 that destroyed the convent and chapel. The Sisters provided hot
drinks to those men who kept a vigil over any hot embers.
October 3 – Mother
Théodore Guérin
OCTOBER 1, 2012
Many of the early
pioneers faced the hardships of this country where wars, famine and disease
were the norm. Leaving everything behind, heroic souls came not only to save
the souls of Indian nations, but also to minister to these frontier families. One
such person was St. Mother Théodore Guérin, who became the eighth American
Saint and the first Saint from the State of Indiana on October 15, 2006.
Anne-Thérèse Guérin was
born on October 2, 1798, in the village of Étables-sur-Mer in Brittany, France,
which was still suffering from the horrors of the French Revolution. She was
the oldest daughter of Laurent Guérin, an officer in the French Navy under
Napoleon Bonaparte, and Isabelle Lefèvre Guérin, both parents being from old
and highly distinguished families of France. The Lefèvres were devoted
royalists, while the Guérins were avowed Napoleonites. The Revolution had taken
their property, titles and fortunes away and Isabelle Lefèvre Guérin kept
hidden in her trunk a little cap that only those of nobility wore. “But
we’ll put it back in the trunk,” said her Mother, “and keep it there as a
memory rather than show it as a fact.” The Guérins had 4 children – two
boys and two girls, but both boys died when young. Placed under the special
protection of Our Lady since her baptism, Anne-Thérèse Guérin’s devotion to Our
Lady increased with each passing year. “I always had a horror of sin,” she said
towards the close of her life, “and from the time I began to comprehend that
such things as playing truant, teasing my companions, and asserting myself were
wrong, I had very little attraction towards those things for which I was
formerly chastised.” Anne-Thérèse, being well advanced not only in her
catechism but also spiritually, was allowed to receive her First Holy Communion
at age ten; two years earlier than others. It was then that she confided to the
Curé that she wished to be a nun some day. “Cherish that desire, my child,” he
told her, “and you will one day belong to God.”
When Anne-Thérèse was
almost 12, her father was granted leave to spend some weeks with the family
before setting out for Russia with Napoleon’s army. Tragically, he was robbed
and murdered by a group of brigands near Avignon. As a result of this news,
Madame Guérin’s health was ruined, leaving her totally dependent on
Anne-Thérèse’s care for the next five years. Never during this time did the
desire to become a nun leave her and even when her Mother tried for four years
to change her mind, Anne-Thérèse remained firm to her vocation. Finally when
Anne-Thérèse was 24, her Mother suddenly changed her mind and on August 18,
1823, Anne-Thérèse entered the Sisters of Providence at Ruillé-sur-Loir, France
being given the religious name Sister St. Théodore.
“The spirit of faith consists in doing our actions
for God, in His presence, to look upon all events of life as directed by Him.”
– St. Théodore Guérin
Sister St. Théodore was
first sent to teach at Preuilly-sur-Claise in central France and served as
superior of schools in Rennes and Soulaines, where she also ministered among
the sick and poor. There, she became ill, most likely with smallpox, and nearly
died. The illness damaged her digestive system and, for the rest of her life,
she could only eat a simple, bland diet.
In 1839, the Vicar
general of the See of Vincennes (Indiana), Bishop Celestine de la Hailandière,
came to the convent at Ruillé-sur-Loir, France petitioning the nuns to send him
several Sisters to establish a Motherhouse and school in Vincennes, Ind. Mother
Mary told Sister St. Théodore that she wished for her to go, but “if you feel
you cannot go, we cannot open the mission.” Sister St. Théodore, who was
41 years old, not in good health, wrote to the Bishop of Le Mans for advice.
“Let us then consider ourselves nothing, but let us be ready for anything.
Since you have been chosen, think of nothing but preparing yourself in the best
manner you are able; bring to it a good will and rely constantly on help from
Above,” the Bishop wrote. So, resigning herself to God’s will, she prepared for
her journey to Indiana. On July 27, 1840, Sister St. Théodore and four other
Sisters, set sail for the United States on board the Cincinnati. Once on
board the Sisters, who had carried with them several farewell gifts, opened the
gift from their generous benefactor, Comtesse de Marescot. It was marked
“confections” and they thought they should look inside before giving it away
and found layers of orange leaves covering candies, and among the candies lay
pieces of gold, three thousand francs in all. Once on board the Cincinnati,
Sister St. Théodore kept a journal of their travel to the US, the hardships
they encountered in their journey to Indiana, and more. Titled Journals and letters of Mother Théodore Guèrin: foundress
of the sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, it
is well worth reading. In 1904, Sister Mary Theodosia Mug compiled Mother
Théodore’s journal. In 1908, suffering from damaged nerves in her arm and a
stomach tumor that had developed during those four years, she prayed to Mother
St. Théodore at her tomb and was cured. She became the first miracle that
started the process of canonization for St. Théodore. Throughout Mother
Théodore’s journal, she never wrote about her sufferings, not only with the
journey and the academy, but also with the Bishop who refused for her money at
times and the title of Superior.
After 46 days at sea,
they entered the bay leading to New York City on September 5, and spent five
days with the Parmentier family. André Parmentier, a noted horticulturist in
France, was the founder of the New York City Botanical Gardens. He died in
1830, but his wife, Sylvie, devoted herself to welcoming Bishops, missionaries,
priests and religious who would come from Europe, giving many a place to stay
before heading on their journey.
Then the Sisters made
their way by train to Philadelphia, where they were met by Mr. Frenaye, who
handled business matters for the Bishop of Vincennes. He informed the Sisters
that he didn’t even know they were coming, but would advance the funds needed
for their trip out West. Before heading West they spent some time in Emmitsburg
with the Sisters of Charity. Mother Rose White, who was one of Mother Seton’s
first companions, told Sister St. Théodore how much they had suffered when they
first came to the US, which renewed Sister St. Théodore’s courage for the
trials ahead. She also learned one vital piece of information – the key to a
successful school was music, “no piano; no school.” One thing that Sister St.
Théodore noticed was that the further West they went, the poorer people became,
including the Bishops, priests and nuns. Money was lacking, but not
spirituality, for the Faith was in great demand in the US. Many of the bishops
and priests rarely spent time at home, but rather traveled throughout their
diocese many times, sleeping anywhere – even under a tree. Gathering advice
from the religious that she met along the way helped her prepare for the future
mission.
End of journey….
Finally on September 18, their
journey to Indiana began, which would take them a month to reach. At the
suggestion of the Bishop they wore secular clothing on their travel West, since
it some parts of the US might be dangerous for the nuns to wear their habits.
Most Americans at this time were very hostile to the Catholic Church and to the
Religious, since many organizations were viciously slandering the Church. They
traveled for two day & nights by stagecoach; then 150 miles on a river boat
down the Ohio River to Cincinnati. Making a stop in Madison to meet the Bishop
of Vincennes, who told them of the misunderstanding that resulted in no one
being there to greet them in New York City and that the convent that they were
going to was not ready for them until spring. He arranged for them to stay with
the Thralls family once they arrived in Terre Haute. The Sisters continued
their journey by boat to Evansville where they took the stagecoach to Terre
Haute after crossing the Wabash River by ferry, since the river was swollen.
With no building, house or even a village in sight, they alighted from the
wagon and were led down through a deep ravine to the other side where a little
single room log cabin was. Inside was a lighted altar with the Blessed
Sacrament exposed and here the Sisters poured forth their gratitude to God for
a safe voyage. Before arising, Sister St. Théodore kissed the ground, ready for
the work ahead.
Four postulants had been
waiting for their arrival. With winter fast approaching and no convent, Sister
St. Théodore decided to buy the house that they were staying in. The Thrall
family had another house nearby and was willing to move out so the six Sisters
and four Postulants could stay till spring. It was during this time that the
Bishop told the community to call Sister St. Théodore, Mother Théodore. On
December 26, Mother Théodore became so ill that the Bishop gave her Last
Rights. It was believed she was suffering from brain fever. She remained quite
ill until February 15, 1841. Slowly recovering from near death, Mother Théodore
had promised, that if she recovered, to have a statue of the Immaculate
Conception for the convent chapel, which was gladly sent to her by her friend
Monsieur Claude Marie Perrault de la Bertaudière(¹), in Soulaines, France.
This
is the statue that Monsieur Claude Marie Perrault de la Bertaudière sent to
Mother Théodore Guérin. Saved from the fire of 1889, this
statue was moved to the museum at Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods in 1990.
Mother Théodore admired
the honesty and uprightness of the Americans. In establishing the new academy,
she combined American ideas with French ideas. She brought a tradition from
Ruillé, where the religious would salute the Guardian Angel of whomever they
met. It was a devotion, she said, excellent for religious teachers, because
their own duties to children were in so many ways like those of the Guardian
Angels. She had a great devotion to Our Lady and founded the Sodality of the
Children of Mary, which was never seen before in Indiana.
All girls school is now
open…
On July 5, 1841, the
boarding school solemnly opened, with one student, Mary Lenoble. Despite the
anti-Catholic bigotry that prevailed in the US, many Protestants were anxious
for the academy to open. Two days later, four more students came and several
more during the week. Nearly all of the new students were Protestant. The new
academy, along with the surrounding property, is called
Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods. Almost all of the fine arts education in the US was
run by religious and it was this kind of education that Americans yearned for
their children to have. Besides the basics, they wanted their children to learn
drawing, music, and embroidering. The Sisters also taught rhetoric, chemistry,
botany, natural philosophy, English and French.
In early spring of 1842, three Sisters were sent to Jasper to teach sixty students. Fr. Joseph Kundek was pastor here and had everything ready for the Sisters when they arrived. In autumn of 1842, another school was opened at Saint Francisville with two Sisters to teach forty students and a free school was opened in Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods. Joining Mother Théodore’s community at Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods, was Sr. Francis Xavier(²) from France, and newly professed Sister Mary Cecilia(³). Sr. Francis Xavier, who became the Mistress of Novices, “was the soul of the congregation,” according to Mother Théodore. Though frail by nature, she was very humble, had a profound love of God and was Mother Théodore’s greatest joy. She died a holy death shortly before Mother Théodore’s death.
“Charity consists in
loving sincerely persons whose inclinations are most opposed to ours. Charity
does not consist in loving one or two persons and being indifferent to all the
rest.” – St. Théodore Guérin
On October 2, 1842,
Mother Théodore’s 44th birthday, one of the small houses caught fire and
quickly spread to the barn, which held the freshly harvested winter wheat. It
had been one of their best crops. Despite all help, everything was destroyed.
“The Lord has given and the Lord has taken away,” Mother Théodore said. The
cause of the fire was never discovered. $4,000 dollars in building, equipment
and food were destroyed right before the coming harsh winter. Friends from all
over poured food and money into Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods, though some of it came
when winter was already upon them. It was one of their hardest times, but with
God’s help they were able to get through it. It was at this time they received
a new chaplain – Fr. Corbe and his encouraging words, support and advice during
this hard time was enormously valuable to the Community. Fr. Corbe was dearly
loved by the Sisters and it was he who was at the bedside of Mother Théodore
when she died. With Fr. Corbe’s advice, Mother Théodore and her Community were
able to persevere through situations that were much worse than a fire or even
the harsh winters.
Ever since arriving in
the US, Mother Théodore had trouble with Rt. Rev. Célestin René Laurent
Guynemer de la Hailandière, Second Bishop of Vincennes. According to many who
worked with him, the Bishop was agreeable so long as one agreed with him. In a
letter to Bishop Bouvier, Mother Théodore wrote, “He possesses a disposition,
calculated to make a martyr out of its possessor, but still more out of those
who mush bear with him. [Though he is pious and zealous], he is jealous of his
authority and wants to do everything himself, with no delegation of anything.”
Bishop de la Hailandière made it very clear that in all things his will was to
be followed, despite the cost. Bishop de la Hailandière’s huge responsibilities
included the debts, begging for money to keep his priests alive and the
churches running, and also preventing the Protestants from buying them, led the
Bishop to once write to Mother Théodore, “I am overwhelmed with a depression
that nothing can relieve, not even the remarkable successes God has given you.”
Mother Théodore bore with patience, the Bishop’s mood swings, though many times
it was at a cost to her health. The Bishop treated Mother Théodore despicably
and even severely in front of the postulants. He interfered with the admission
of two members, who caused problems for the Community later (one did not have a
vocation); he ordered buildings and additions to be made, all at the expense of
the Sisters; he opened a mission without the approval of Mother Théodore; and
he became increasing indifferent to Mother Théodore health.
Bishop de la Hailandière
possessed the deed to Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods, which he promised to sign over
to Mother Théodore once she came to Indiana, but he continually reneged on that
promise, which caused the delay in the expansion of the Academy.
Mother Théodore, who had
a hard time understanding Bishop de la Hailandière, wrote, “One would require a
talent of never seeming to oppose the will or even the desire of our bishop,
instead of bringing him always, and by good reasons, to will of his own accord
what we desire, and let him think it done as he wished.” He was generous in
some ways and difficult in others.
On April 26, 1843, Mother
Théodore and Sr. Mary Cecilia made a voyage to France in the hope of obtaining
contributions to the American Mission. France was very generous in their
donations to this worthy cause. Having secured financial aid to
Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods, Mother Théodore returned to the US in November, but
not before she met Queen Marie-Amélie of France, wife of Louis-Philippe and
niece of Marie Antoinette. At the suggestion of a friend, Mother Théodore wrote
a letter requesting an audience with the Queen, which was accepted. The Queen,
despite the court, lived a devout life, hearing daily Mass and generously
patronizing the Church and religious and charitable institutes.
Queen Marie-Amélie spoke
perfect English to Sr. Mary Cecilia and was fascinated to learn that she was
part Indian (Ottowa). Mother Théodore spoke of the mission at
Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods and asked the Queen for money for their return voyage,
which the Queen quickly responded, “Oh, that will not be enough. You will need
something for small expenses and for your arrival. I shall speak to the king
and to my children, too. Oh, Sister, let us save souls!” During the
conversation with the Queen, Mother Théodore accidently called the queen,
“Mother” to which the queen replied, “Oh, call me that. Call me your Mother. It
is a title very dear to me – much dearer than Your Majesty.”
The queen kept her word,
paying for the return voyage, plus she provided a large basket of food, “chosen
from her own table by Her Majesty” and she gave an oil painting of herself,
which Mother Théodore would later hang in the convent parlor at
Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods.
On their return voyage
aboard the Nashville, they ran into a dangerous storm, with giant tides
and gale-force winds pounding the ship. No one slept, since death seemed
eminent. Water broke through one porthole flooding the Sister’s cabin, animals
and lifeboats were swept overboard and during the second night of the storm a
child died. The next morning, Mother Théodore made a vow that if they lived
through this storm, she and those with her would build a chapel to St. Anne
d’Auray in gratitude. In the afternoon, the ship capsized, with part of the
ship underwater and more water flooding into the ship. All invoked St. Anne’s
help again. Suddenly the wind lifted the ship upright, and by nightfall the
storm was gone. Upon arrival in Indiana, Mother Théodore set to work in
fulfilling that promise. In 1843, the St. Anne Shell Chapel was completed. The
Sisters had collected shells from the nearby Wabash River to decorate the
interior, which was designed by Sister Mary Joseph le Fer de la Motte. A
built-in altar, also covered in shells, holds a statue of St. Anne that Mother
Théodore brought from France. In 1876, the deteriorating (exterior) logs were
replaced with stone. Every July 25 since 1844, on the eve of the Feast of St.
Anne, the Sisters gather for a solemn procession to the Shell Chapel in honor
of St. Anne.
The trouble with the
Bishop during Mother Théodore’s absence only increased, worrying not only the
Community, but other Bishops in the surrounding Dioceses. “St. Teresa said her
greatest suffering was to be persecuted by good people,” Mother Théodore said.
“I have sometimes felt like that about the Bishop.” Bishop de la Hailandière
believed that the money Mother Théodore collected in France belonged to him and
that he could elect a new general superior without her, both of which were
wrong. “To oppose me is to oppose God,” he told Mother Théodore. “I alone have
any authority over you, and the least priest in the diocese has more power over
your Community than has Mother Théodore.” Apparently Bishop de la
Hailandière realized there was something wrong with his authoritative measures,
and he twice requested to resign from his current position. On July 16, 1847,
his request was accepted. Father John Stephen Bazin was elected the new bishop
and though he only lived for 6 months, he restored peace and order to the
Diocese. He officially gave the title of Mother to Mother Théodore, approved
their Rule and signed the deed to the property over to Mother Théodore. Writing
to Mother Théodore, he said, “The future is yours. I shall judge you only by it
and your rule. A bishop should be a lever to a superior to raise her up from
her heavy burdens, a confidant to whom she may entrust her troubles and from
whom she may draw consolations.” Bishop Bazin died on April 23, 1848, after
suffering eight days from a terrible cold.
Precious in the sight of
the Lord is the death of His saints. (Psalms 115:15)
In 1846, Mother Théodore
opened a mission in Fort Wayne, at the request of Father Benoit, who became a
Chaplain to the three Sisters there. Fort Wayne was a former military post.
Many of the Indian children, including the Chief’s, were students at the
Sister’s Academy and lived there during the Autumn months.
From 1840 to January
1849, Mother Théodore opened parish schools at Jasper, St. Peter’s, Vincennes,
Madison, Fort Wayne and Terre Haute, all in Indiana, and at St. Francisville in
Illinois. In 1853, she opened establishments in Evansville, Ind. and North
Madison, Ind.; in 1854, at Lanesville, Indiana; and in 1855 at Columbus,
Indiana, south of Indianapolis. Additionally, with Bishop de Saint-Palais (who
succeeded Bishop Bazin), Mother Théodore established two orphanages in Vincennes.
By the time of Mother Théodore’s death in 1856, the Sisters of Providence
congregation had grown from six Sisters and four postulants to 67 professed
Sisters, nine novices and seven postulants(4).
In late 1854, Mother
Théodore had been ill, but not enough to keep her in bed, but she grew
increasingly worse. On Dec. 8, 1854, the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception was
proclaimed and Mother Théodore poured all her energy into a new chapel for
Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods. “Nothing that is good has come to us except through
Mary,” Mother Théodore said. Mother Théodore, who designed, planned and
executed the construction of the church, never saw it completed. The
cornerstone was laid in 1886, built in 1891, with the interior completed 16
years later. On October 23, 1907, the Church of the Immaculate Conception,
built in honor of the proclamation of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception,
was consecrated. In March of 1856, Mother Théodore became confined to her bed
and remained there until her death on May 14, 1856 at the age 57.
This
Celtic Cross, in the Convent Cemetery, marks the original burial site of St.
Théodore and some bones from her foot are still under this cross. Several
tombstones in the cemetery are government-issue military headstones, honoring
several Sisters of Providence who served in military hospitals during the Civil
War.
The base of Mother Théodore’s tombstone. The Latin inscription reads: “I sleep, but my heart watches over this house that I have built.”
The Catholic
Telegraph and Advocate in Cincinnati, published the following notice about
Mother Théodore’s death.
Died – At Saint
Mary’s-of-the-Woods, Wednesday, 14th, Sister St. Théodore, Superior General of
the Sisters of Providence in Indiana.
This woman, distinguished
by her eminent virtues, governed the community of which she was the superior
from its commencement, to the time of her death, a period of nearly sixteen
years. Being a perfect religious herself, and endowed with mental qualities of
a high order, she was peculiarly fitted to fill the duties which Providence
assigned her.
Not only her Sisters are
bereaved by her death, but all those who knew her excellence and the amount of
good she did, join in lamenting that she should have been removed from the
sphere of her usefulness. To judge from the celestial expression of her
countenance as she lay in death, there is every reason to believe that she has
already taken her abode among the Saints in Heaven, enjoying the munificence of
God, who rewards His servants ‘according to their works.’
“I sleep, but my heart watches over this house
that I have built,” which sums up her whole life. On October 15, 2006, Mother
Théodore Guérin was declared a Saint. Her remains are inside the Church of the
Immaculate Conception, on the left hand side, along with the banner that hung
in St. Peter’s during her canonization. Her feast day is October 3. St.
Mother Théodore Guérin was truly heroic, a charitable noble devoted to Our
Lady, who carried her cross with fortitude. She was skilled in business
matters, a leader, and a beloved general superior. “And rest assured, if you
lean with all your weight on Providence, you will find yourself well
supported,” St. Mother Théodore Guérin.
(¹) M. Claude Marie Perrault de la
Bertaudière, Knight of the Royal and Military Order of St. Louis, was born in
Angers, France in 1771. His ancestral chateau was confiscated during the French
Revolution, along with a large portion of the family holdings. What wealth that
was saved by one of his faithful servants, Monsieur de la Bertaudière, used for
the good of the others and until his death his benevolence was felt by all,
including the Sisters of Providence in Terre Haute, Indiana.
(²) It was on the
trip of Sr. Francis Xavier from France to Indiana, that she shared a stagecoach
with Monsieur Dupont, also known as the Holy
Man of Tours (Holy Face Devotion). The two said their rosary, prayed the
Way of the Cross and Sr. Francis Xavier told about
Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods. M.
Dupont later sent to the Sisters of Providence a little flask of La
Salette water, which she drank on her death bed and several chalices, which
Mother Théodore distributed to several Religious, including the Holy Cross
Brothers who had missions in that area of Indiana.
(³) Eleanor Bailly,
(professed Sister Mary Cecilia), became the second Superior General after
Mother Théodore’s death. Her father was a wealthy fur trader of distinguished
French lineage and her mother was an Indian princess of the Ottawa tribe. Both
were staunch Catholics.
(4) In 1855, two of Mother Théodore’s nieces joined the Sisters of Providence in Indiana, one niece taking the name of her aunt, Sr. Mary Theodore.
Sources used for this
story:
1. Mary Theodosia Mug,
Life and life–work of Mother Theodore Guerin: foundress of
the Sisters of Providence at St.-Mary-of-the-Woods, Vigo County, Indiana (New
York: Benzinger Brothers, 1904).
2. Katherine Burton,
The Eighth American Saint: The Story of Saint Mother Theodore
Guerin, Foundress of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-Of-The-Woods,
Indiana (Chicago: Acta Publications, 2006).
4. Sister Mary Borromeo
Brown, Ph.D., The History of the Sisters of Providence of Saint
Mary-of-the-Woods (Benziger Brothers, Inc., 1949), in two volumes.
Tagged as: Elites, French Revolution, George Washington, Leaders, Nobility, Royal and Noble Saints, Saints, United States
SOURCE : https://nobility.org/tag/united-states/
Saint Theodora Guérin
October 3
Saint Theodora
Guérin’s Story
Trust in God’s Providence
enabled Mother Theodore to leave her homeland, sail halfway around the world,
and found a new religious congregation.
Born in Etables, France,
Anne-Thérèse Guérin’s life was shattered by her father’s murder when she was
15. For several years she cared for her mother and younger sister. She entered
the Sisters of Providence in 1823, taking the name Sister Saint Theodore.
An illness during novitiate left her with lifelong fragile health, but that did
not keep her from becoming an accomplished teacher.
At the invitation of the
bishop of Vincennes, Indiana, Sr. Saint Theodore and five sisters were
sent to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, in 1840, to teach and to care
for the sick poor. She was to establish a motherhouse and novitiate. Only later
did she learn that her French superiors had already decided the sisters in the
United States should form a new religious congregation under her leadership.
Mother Theodore and her
community persevered despite fires, crop failures, prejudice against Catholic
women religious, misunderstandings, and separation from their original
religious congregation. She once told her sisters, “Have confidence in the
Providence that so far has never failed us. The way is not yet clear. Grope
along slowly. Do not press matters; be patient, be trustful.” Another time she
asked, “With Jesus, what shall we have to fear?”
Mother Theodore was buried in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, now the Shrine of St. Mother Theodore, in Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana. She was beatified in 1998, and canonized as Saint Theodora Guérin eight years later.
Reflection
God’s work gets done by
people ready to take risks and to work hard—always remembering what
Saint Paul told the Corinthians, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God
caused the growth.” Every holy person has a strong sense of God’s Providence.
SOURCE : https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-theodora-guerin/
St. Mother Théodore GuérinFeast day: Oct 03
St. Théodore Guérin, SP, was born Anne-Therese Guerin
at Etables, Brittany in France on October 2, 1798.
As
she was growing up, the French government was virulently anti-clerical, closing
down seminaries and churches and arresting priests and religious. Her cousin
was a seminarian who lived in hiding in her parents’ devout Catholic home. He
instructed her thoroughly in the faith and she displayed an advanced knowledge
of theology, even at a young age.
Anne-Thérèse entered the Sisters of Providence at 26 and devoted herself to
religious education. Her intellectual capacities were formidable, and she was
even recognized by the French Academy for her acheivements.
In 1840 Mother Théodore Guérin was sent to Indiana, in the USA to found a
convent of the Sisters of Providence in the diocese of Vincennes. There
she pioneered Catholic education, opened the first girls’ boarding school in
Indiana, and fought against the anti-Catholicism prevalent in the day.
She was well known for her heroic witness to faith, her hope, and her love of
God. The fledgling years of the convent of Our Lady of the Woods were
difficult, with the ever present danger of it being burned down by anti-
Catholics. The persecution also came from within the Church, from her own
bishop, who, on not being allowed to tamper with the order’s rule,
excommunicated her. The excommunication was eventually lifted by his
successor.
James Cardinal Gibbons said of her in 1904, that she was “a woman of uncommon
valour, one of those religious athletes whose life and teachings effect a
spiritual fecundity that secures vast conquests to Christ and His holy Church.”
She died on May 14, 1856 after a period of sickness, and her feast day is
celebrated on October 3.
She was beatified by Pope John Paul II on October 25, 1998, and canonized a
saint of the Roman Catholic church on October 15, 2006, by Pope Benedict XVI.
SOURCE : https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-mother-theodore-guerin-382
Théodore Guérin
St Théodore (1798 – 1856)
was born into a family of four at Etables-sur-Mer, France. Her father was an
officer in the French army. Only St Théodore and her sister, Marie-Jeanne,
survived into adulthood.
St Théodore made an early
First Communion and planned to join a religious order as soon as practical. Her
wishes were thwarted, however, when at 15, her father was killed by bandits and
her family became heavily dependent on St Théodore’s assistance. Only at 25 was
she able to fulfil her dream and join the Sisters of Providence. She took her
final vows in 1831 and started a teaching career as well as tending to the poor
and sick in the local community.
St Théodore was sent by
her Order from France to St Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, to set up schools and
orphanages in the then densely forested territory. Despite the many obstacles,
her work was overwhelmingly successful; her caring determination unwavering.
She became Founder and Superior General of the Sisters of Providence, St
Mary-of-the-Woods.
St Théodore was
canonised by Pope Benedict in 2006. Her Feast Day is the 3rd October.
St Théodore Guérin:
Pray that we will provide
safe homes and a good education for the children placed in our care.
Glory be to the…
SOURCE : https://www.daily-prayers.org/saints-library/theodore-guerin-2/
Santa Teodora
(Anna-Teresa) Guerin Fondatrice
Étables, Bretagna,
Francia, 2 ottobre 1798 – St. Mary of the Woods, Indiana, USA, 14 maggio 1856
Anna Teresa Guerin nacque
a Etables in Bretagna il 2 settembre 1798, da genitori profondamente religiosi.
Un suo parente, giovane
chierico, le insegnò scienze e lettere. Sentendosi chiamata allo stato
religioso desiderò entrare nel Carmelo ma i disegni di Dio la vollero
nell’Istituto delle Suore della Divina Provvidenza di Ruillé-sur-Loire con il
nome di Teodora, questo avvenne nel 1823.
Dopo la professione
religiosa, divenne superiora a Rennes e poi a Laulaines; nel 1840 fu inviata a
Vincennes nello Stato dell’Indiana (USA) insieme a cinque suore per fondare
nuove comunità; la prima scuola si aprì a S. Maria del Bosco (Saint Mary of the
Woods).
Si dedicò con grande
prudenza negli affari di gestione e con ammirabile carità verso le sue suore ed
i suoi collaboratori.
Dovette sopportare
incomprensioni, umiliazioni e sofferenze di ogni genere.
Morì a S. Maria del Bosco
– Nemus il 14 maggio del 1856.
Etimologia: Teodora
/ Teodoro deriva dal greco Theodoros e significa
Martirologio
Romano: Nella cittadina di Saint Mary of the Woods vicino a Indianapolis
negli Stati Uniti d’America, beata Teodora (Anna Teresa) Guérin, vergine della
Congregazione delle Suore della Provvidenza, che, nata in Francia, pur tra
grandissime difficoltà, confidando sempre nella divina Provvidenza, si prese
misericordiosamente cura della nascente comunità del luogo.
Santa Teodora Guerin, è
una delle tante luminose ed eroiche figure di religiose e religiosi, che nella
scia della grande emigrazione europea, avvenuta fra Ottocento e Novecento verso
il Nuovo Mondo, divennero pionieri di una evangelizzazione attiva ed operosa,
delle popolazioni che si stabilivano nelle nuove città, come pure per i tanti
indigeni americani, ignari della religione di Cristo.
Origini e vocazione
religiosa
Anna Teresa Guerin,
nacque il 2 ottobre 1798 ad Étables in Bretagna (Francia), prima delle due
figlie dei coniugi Laurent e Isabella Guerin, genitori profondamente cristiani.
Il padre, al servizio di
Napoleone Bonaparte, si assentava da casa per lunghi periodi, per cui
l’educazione delle figlie fu affidata alla madre, avente come base la religione
e la Sacra Scrittura.
Spirito meditativo e
riflessivo, Anna Teresa Guerin, già nella sua fanciullezza, amava ritirarsi in
solitudine sulla scogliera nei pressi della sua casa, dove trascorreva delle
ore in meditazione; un suo parente, giovane chierico, le insegnò lettere e
scienze. A dieci anni ricevette la Prima Comunione e in quell’occasione confidò
al suo parroco il desiderio di diventare suora.
Ma dovettero trascorrere
parecchi anni, prima che ciò si realizzasse, a causa di varie disgrazie che
colpirono la sua famiglia, prima fra tutte l’assassinio del padre nel 1813, da
parte di alcuni banditi mentre tornava a casa.
La madre di Teodora ne fu
scossa moltissimo e si ammalò, ella aveva già avuto la perdita di due giovani
fratelli e di altri parenti a lei cari.
Ad Anna Teresa toccò allora
accudire la madre ammalata e la sorella minore; inoltre occuparsi della cura
della casa e del giardino; il suo sogno di farsi suora, fu così accantonato,
almeno fino a quando la sorella minore non fu in grado di sostituirla
nell’assistere la madre.
Desiderò di entrare nel
Carmelo, ma la vista dei tanti bambini poveri dell’epoca, lasciati
nell’ignoranza e senza assistenza, la convinse a scegliere le “Sorelle della
Provvidenza”, fondate nel 1806 dal sacerdote Jacques François Dujarié, proprio
con questi fini assistenziali verso i poveri e gli ammalati.
Aveva 25 anni, quando il
18 agosto 1823 entrò nella Casa del Noviziato a Ruillé-sur-Loire; dove poi subì
anche una forma di tifo, che non le impedì di essere accettata.; l’8 settembre
1825 emise i voti temporanei e indossò l’abito della Congregazione, prendendo
il nome di suor Teodora; si guadagnò da subito la fiducia delle consorelle e
già nel 1828, fu eletta fra le consigliere generali e poi nominata superiora
dell’importante e difficile Casa di Saint Aubin, quartiere malfamato di Rennes,
dove trasformò la zona in pochi anni, con la sua capacità di educatrice e
zelante organizzatrice, guadagnandosi la stima di tutti.
Il 5 settembre 1831
professò i voti perpetui, che allora erano facoltativi; nel 1834 arrivò per lei
una dura prova; suo malgrado fu coinvolta senza ragione, fra le divergenze di
vedute sorte fra il fondatore padre Dujarié e la Madre Generale di allora, fu
indicata da alcune suore come una ribelle verso la Generale e simpatizzante per
il fondatore; non era vero, ma la Generale senza nemmeno incontrarla, trasferì
suor Teodora Guerin da Rennes a Soulaines.
Qui lei si dedicò con
nuova lena al lavoro, senza lamentarsi né protestare; tanto che proprio a
Soulaines ricevette una medaglia d’onore dall’Accademia di Angers, come
riconoscimento della sua abilità pedagogica; intanto suor Teodora, per meglio
espletare la sua missione, prese a studiare medicina e pedagogia, con la guida
di un medico proveniente dall’Università di Parigi.
La Missione Americana
Aveva 42 anni, quando nel
1840 fu scelta dalla Superiora per andare a capo di un gruppo di cinque suore,
a Vincennes nello Stato dell’Indiana negli U.S.A., invitate dal locale vescovo
a fondare nuove comunità.
Le sei suore partirono
dalla Francia il 27 luglio 1840 e dopo un sofferto viaggio per mare, madre
Teodora si ammalò seriamente subito dopo l’arrivo in terra americana.
Ripresasi alquanto e
giunta a Vincennes, le suore invece di essere alloggiate in città, furono
mandate in una zona deserta e selvaggia senza strade, precisamente a Saint Mary
of the Woods, zona in un’estrema situazione di povertà; era il 22 ottobre 1840
quando vi giunsero.
Facendo tesoro della sua
esperienza e degli studi in medicina fatti, madre Teodora aprì subito una
farmacia gratuita, insegnando alle consorelle a preparare le medicine; insegnò
loro anche a curare gli ammalati, prestando attenzione ai loro bisogni
materiali e spirituali; un’altra farmacia fu aperta qualche anno dopo per gli
abitanti di Vincennes.
Non le mancarono contrarietà
ed incomprensioni, a causa dei pregiudizi locali contro le suore cattoliche,
sia per l’intromissione del vescovo di Vincennes, mons. Hailandière, nella
conduzione della comunità di suore.
Madre Teodora Guerin, non
si lasciò scoraggiare e ben presto fondò una Casa Madre e un Noviziato,
dedicando la missione alla Madonna; sebbene vivessero in povertà, le suore con
l’aiuto di generosi benefattori, nel luglio 1841 aprirono l’Accademia di Saint
Mary of the Woods e durante l’anno due scuole a Jasper nell’Indiana meridionale
e a St. Francisville nell’Illinois, che allora rientrava nella diocesi di
Vincennes.
Fondatrice di nuova
Congregazione
Ma ormai la lontananza
dalla comunità di Ruillé in Francia si faceva sentire; sempre più spesso era
costretta ad agire autonomamente, nel contempo i rapporti con il vescovo erano
tesi, pertanto nel 1843-1844, tornò in Francia per raccogliere offerte e
soprattutto per avere delle chiare direttive dalla Madre Generale su come
comportarsi e sul da fare.
Ma inaspettatamente, il
Consiglio generalizio decise la separazione totale della Missione Americana da
Ruillé e così madre Teodora si trovò ad essere Superiora Generale e fondatrice
di una nuova Congregazione, denominata “Suore della Provvidenza di Saint Mary
of the Woods” (Santa Maria dei Boschi).
Nel dicembre del 1844
ritornò nell’Indiana, riprendendo a lavorare intensamente e con maggiore
responsabilità; le scuole erano già cinque con 200 bambini e 25 ragazze
ospitate nell’Accademia.
Le maggiori difficoltà
per madre Teodora Guerin, provenivano dal vescovo mons. Hailandière, il quale
intendeva mutare la struttura religiosa della comunità, in una sorta di
associazione laica, nel contempo affermava il suo riconoscimento alle Regole
della Congregazione.
Tutto ciò creò
perplessità e sconcerto nelle suore e ci furono contrasti che sfociarono nella
deposizione di madre Teodora da Superiora, le fu impedito di avere contatti con
le sue suore e fu dispensata addirittura dai voti; quando lo scioglimento della
comunità sembrava imminente, il vescovo, in contrasto anche con il suo clero,
diede le dimissioni; con i suoi successori alla guida della diocesi di
Vincennes, le cose cambiarono e madre Teodora dopo tante sofferenze, riprese a
guidare con energia e saggezza le sue suore, che rapidamente aumentarono di
numero e si svilupparono nelle attività.
Lo sviluppo della
Congregazione – Gli ultimi anni
Nel biennio dal 1851 al
1853, madre Teodora fece costruire una nuova Casa Madre e nell’aprile 1854
scrisse al vescovo di Le Mans in Francia, comunicandogli che la nuova
Congregazione comprendeva 64 suore, 12 novizie e 16 postulanti e le 12 scuole
avevano quasi 1200 studenti.
Alla sua morte, avvenuta
il 14 maggio 1856 a Saint Mary of the Woods - Nemus, le scuole erano diffuse in
tutta l’Indiana con due orfanotrofi a Vincennes; fu sepolta nella Cappella
delle Suore nel locale cimitero, fino a quando nel 1907, le sue spoglie furono
traslate nella cripta della Chiesa della Provvidenza a Saint Mary of the Woods,
durante l’esumazione si poté constatare che una parte del cervello era intatta,
rosea e in buono stato.
La Causa di
beatificazione fu introdotta il 19 febbraio 1956; in seguito ad un miracolo
attribuito alla sua intercessione e approvato il 7 luglio 1997, fu beatificata
da papa Giovanni Paolo II il 25 ottobre 1998 a Roma e nella stessa Piazza San
Pietro , a seguito di un altro miracolo, è stata proclamata Santa da papa
Benedetto XVI il 15 ottobre 2006; la sua ricorrenza liturgica è il 14 maggio.
Autore: Antonio
Borrelli
SOURCE : http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/72725
THÉODORE GUÉRIN (1798 –
1856)
«Che forza attinge l’anima dalla preghiera! E
nel mezzo di un temporale, com’è rassicurante la bonaccia che trova nel cuore
di Gesù... Ma quale consolazione c’è per coloro che non pregano? ».
Queste parole, scritte da
Madre Théodore Guérin dopo essere sopravvissuta ad un violenta tempesta di
mare, riassumono in modo esemplare la sua vita e il suo ministero. Madre
Théodore attingeva realmente forza dalla preghiera, dai suoi dialoghi con Dio,
con Gesù e con la Beata Vergine Maria. Per tutta la vita, mentre cercava di
portare l’amore di Dio alle persone intorno a lei, ha esortato alla preghiera.
Madre THÉODORE GUÉRIN—all’anagrafe
ANNE-THÉRÈSE GUÉRIN— nasce il 2 ottobre 1798 a Etables, in Francia. La sua
devozione verso Dio e la Chiesa Cattolica Romana si manifesta fin da bambina. A
dieci anni riceve il sacramento dell’Eucaristia per la prima volta e in quell’occasione
confida al sacerdote della sua parrocchia il desiderio di farsi suora.
Da bambina, Anne-Thérèse
cerca spesso la solitudine lungo la scogliera nei pressi della sua abitazione e
vi trascorre ore ed ore in meditazione, riflessione e preghiera. È la madre,
Isabelle Guérin, ad istruirla e ad avvicinarla ai valori religiosi, basando le
sue lezioni sulle Sacre Scritture e nutrendo così sempre più lÂ’amore di
Théodore per Dio. Il padre di Anne-Thérèse, Laurent, arruolatosi nella marina
militare di Napoleone, è da anni lontano dalla famiglia e viene assassinato da
alcuni banditi durante il viaggio di ritorno a casa. A quell’epoca
Anne-Thérèse ha soltanto quindici anni. La perdita del marito rischia di
sopraffare Isabelle e per molti anni è Anne-Thérèse ad occuparsi della madre e
della sorella più giovane, della casa e del giardino.
Durante questi anni di
stenti e di sofferenza, come per tutta la vita, la fede in Dio di Madre
Théodore non subisce cedimenti né esitazioni. Sa, nel profondo della sua anima,
che Dio le è vicino e che le sarà sempre accanto, come un compagno fedele.
Anne-Thérèse ha quasi 25
anni quando entra nella Congregazione delle Sorelle della Provvidenza,
assumendo il nome di Suor St. Théodore, e viene incaricata di guidare una
piccola missione di Sorelle negli Stati Uniti d’America per fondare una casa
madre, istituire scuole e portare l’amore di Dio fra i pionieri della Diocesi
di Vincennes, nello stato dell’Indiana. Umile e, a suo avviso, indegna di un
tale compito, Madre Théodore non può immaginare di essere invece in grado di
portarlo a termine. La sua salute è precaria.
Durante il noviziato
nelle Sorelle della Provvidenza si era ammalata gravemente. Le cure avevano
guarito la malattia, ma danneggiato irrimediabilmente il suo apparato digestivo
e per il resto della sua vita può nutrirsi soltanto di cibi leggeri e insipidi
e di liquidi. Le sue deboli condizioni fisiche la rendono esitante riguardo
l’accettazione della missione. Tuttavia, dopo ore di preghiera e di lunghe
consultazioni con le sue superiori, ubbidisce con la consapevolezza che, in
caso contrario, nessun altro si sarebbe avventurato in quei luoghi inesplorati
per portarvi l’amore di Dio.
Partita con poco più del
suo fervente desiderio di servire Dio, Madre Théodore e cinque sorelle delle
Suore della Provvidenza raggiungono il sito della loro missione a
Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods, nell’Indiana, la sera del 22 ottobre 1840 e
immediatamente si recano lungo il sentiero stretto e fangoso verso la piccola
costruzione in legno che funge da cappella. Qui si raccolgono in preghiera
davanti al Santissimo Sacramento per ringraziare Dio del viaggio conclusosi e
per chiedere al Signore di benedire la nuova missione.
Su questa terra
collinosa, piena di foreste e di strapiombi, Madre Théodore ha costruito una
casa madre e una scuola e ha lasciato un’enorme eredità di amore, misericordia
e di giustizia che non si sono ancora esaurite.
Nel susseguirsi di anni
di dolore e anni di pace, Madre Théodore, per trovare consiglio e guida, fa
affidamento sulla Divina Provvidenza, sulla propria ingegnosità e sulla fede.
Incita le Sorelle della Provvidenza ad « affidarsi tranquillamente nelle mani
della Provvidenza ». Nelle lettere indirizzate in Francia scrive «La nostra
speranza è la Divina Provvidenza, che ci ha protette finora e che provvederà in
qualche modo anche per le nostre necessità future ».
Nell’autunno del 1840 la
missione di Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods è formata unicamente da una piccola
costruzione di legno, adibita a cappella e ad abitazione per il parroco, e da
una piccola fattoria dove vivono Madre Théodore, le sorelle giunte con lei
dalla Francia e numerose postulanti. Durante il primo inverno, la fattoria è
battuta dai venti gelidi del nord. Le sorelle sono spesso malate e affamate, ma
riescono comunque a trasformare un portico in cappella e a sentire il conforto
della presenza del Santissimo Sacramento nella loro umile casa madre. Dice
Madre Théodore: «Con Gesù, cosa dobbiamo temere? ».
Durante i primi anni a
Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods, Madre Théodore deve superare numerose prove difficili:
i pregiudizi contro i cattolici, ma soprattutto contro le religiose cattoliche,
i tradimenti, le incomprensioni, la separazione della Congregazione
dell’Indiana da quella di Ruillé, un incendio devastante che distrugge
l’intero raccolto della stagione, lasciando le sorelle in uno stato
d’indigenza, e numerose malattie, anche mortali. Nonostante tutto, però, Madre
Théodore persevera nella sua missione, con l’unico desiderio «di fare ovunque
e con tutti la volontà del Signore ». Dal carteggio con gli amici trapelano le
confidenze delle sue tribolazioni: «Se mai questa piccola comunità di coloni si
stabilirà definitivamente, lo sarà nel nome della Croce. È questo a darmi
fiducia e speranza, anche quando tutto sembra dimostrare il contrario ».
Meno di un anno dopo il
suo arrivo a Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods, Madre Théodore inaugura la prima
Accademia della Congregazione e, nel 1842, fonda le scuole di Jasper,
nell’Indiana, e di St. Francisville, nell’Illinois. All’epoca della sua
morte, avvenuta il 14 maggio 1856, Madre Théodore ha fondato scuole in tutto
l’Indiana e la Congregazione delle Sorelle della Provvidenza è forte, vitale e
rispettata. Come sempre, Madre Théodore attribuisce la crescita e il successo delle
Sorelle della Provvidenza a Dio e a Maria, Madre di Gesù, a cui dedica il
ministero di Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods.
La santità di Madre
Théodore è manifesta per le persone che l’hanno conosciuta e molti la
descrivono semplicemente come « santa ». Aveva la capacità di far scaturire il
meglio da ogni persona e farle raggiungere obiettivi ritenuti impossibili.
L’amore di Madre Théodore è una delle sue qualità principali. Ha amato Dio, la
gente di Dio, le Sorelle della Provvidenza, la Chiesa Cattolica Romana e le
persone che ha servito. Non ha escluso nessuno dal suo ministero o dalle sue
preghiere perché ha dedicato la vita a far conoscere Dio e a insegnare alla
gente a condurre una vita migliore.
Madre Théodore sapeva che
da sola non avrebbe potuto far niente di tutto ciò, ma che nulla è impossibile
a Dio. Ha accettato le sfide, le sofferenze e le ingiustizie come parte della
propria vita e anche nelle persecuzioni Madre Théodore è rimasta leale e fedele
a Dio.
Madre Théodore muore
sedici anni dopo il suo arrivo a Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods. Durante questi anni
fuggevoli ha toccato con la sua vita un numero incalcolabile di vite e il suo
esempio continua tuttora a influenzare numerose persone. Il suo dono alle
generazioni future è la sua vita come modello di santità, virtù, amore e fede.
SOURCE : https://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_20061015_guerin_it.html
